Steampunk, Part 1

The astute reader may have noticed that I am slightly anachronistic in my tendencies. And by slightly, I mean very. One does not read Sherlock Holmes mysteries, shave with steel double-edge razors, and sneeze into handkerchiefs if they are not trying to achieve something.

The sad fact is, I am an avowed Steampunk, and there is no curing me. Because it has been asked of me, and because I can, this post is devoted to the subject – and more specifically why it's so fuckin' awesome, and how you can try it out yourself.



I've already mentioned in a previous post what Steampunk is. Succinctly, it is a sensibility, fashion trend, art form, and sub culture that attempts to emulate and celebrate the Victorian era, while allowing for a great deal of science fiction and fantasy to permeate. That was wordy. It's really a bunch of hot people dressing anachronistically, building fun and fascinating machinery and weaponry, writing great stories and essays, and enjoying tea and crumpets all the while. I'm still not doing well at explaining this, so there will be links to follow.

The movement is meant to be fun – we don't actually think it's 1889, although that would be neato. Most steampunks dress rather normally on a day-to-day basis. But many things carry over from the past that apply well to us on a daily basis. The best, and my favorite aspect of Steampunk, is the green aspect. This may shock you, but people did not always throw pounds and pounds of crapola into the dumpster on a weekly basis. And when people threw stuff away into their middens, other (less fortunate) people came by and picked through it. In short, there was a lot less waste. Mothers did not throw away clothes – they cut them up for new items, or handed them down to siblings or cousins. There were no paper tissues, as we know, just those fabulous hankies – there was very little paper anything, as a matter of fact. Newspapers were reused in the outhouse or spanking new water closet. Both sides of foolscap were used. Et cetera.

I'm not suggesting we wipe our asses with the Times. Papercuts. It's the idea of less waste that is appealing, not the manner is which is was achieved. Some of these methods were not even a choice – no one was thinking of global warming when riding their horse or bicycle somewhere. But the benefit to us today makes using a bike more appealing. The waste-nothing ideology is at the heart of Steampunk. Because our trade is in the old, we jump headlong into flea markets, resale shops, and that box in the basement to find goodies that can have new life. Victorian and Edwardian-style clothes can be bought ready-made – for a price. And we do buy many pieces already made. But there is a high respect for those of use who can cut up dad's shirt and make something new, or who can weld old pipe fittings together for something amazing. We're not exactly saving the world, but we damn well are trying to do something.



I can't ignore the nostalgic aspect either. It's nice to think of a time when men and women were more polite, social mores prevented a gentlemen from commenting on a lady's hooters at the gas station (er, horse post?), and people took the time to write thoughtful letters in flowing script rather than texting “where ru bitch?” Admittedly, there was a great deal of shitola going on in that time as well - class unrest, poverty, disease, racism, wars. We have the benefit of eschewing the bad and fitting the good to modern sensibilities. We can all dress up pretty and have tea and no one will care if you are black or white or how expensive you hat was or what you do for a living. That's sort of badass.



This leads me to my final point on the matter, which is the creation of community. The community is not overlarge, and the gatherings that occur are often smallish. People get to know one another. The creative of us start making clothing and jewelry and awesome weapons out of just a cap gun and some crap from the attic. We buy from one-(wo)man shops and websites and all of a sudden we are supporting friends and American-made products and services. That's right, bitches – we are buying American (or British, or whatever your locale is) and getting fine, hand-made products. You cannot beat that. People on forums and communities gladly offer patterns, advice, and information to those who ask. We are fortunate that we haven't yet devolved into a clique-y, bitchy group that shoots every noob down. Our general motto is to let y'all keep on doing what you do and make your vision of what Steampunk is be what it is.

This soap box pitch has turned out longer than I originally anticipated, and so I hesitate to scare you away with another thousand words. I think I will leave off my second part for next week, that part being about what we wear and do – and instead leave you with the promised informational links, some good resources, and a few links to some you-know-you-want-'em accessories. Cool?

Thought so.

For Your Information
Wikipedia, because it may be wiki, but the info is far better than my definition.
Aether Emporium

Communities
Steampunk Fashion on Livejounal wherein you can get a shitload of info and good times.
And on Facebook
Steampunk Cafe
Steampunk Debate

And Some Pretties to Look At
I'm trying to whet your appetite here.

Ladies Hats and Mens Hats
Pocket Watches
Walking Sticks, Umbrellas, and Parasols

(Links were chosen based on what I've explored, price, and relativity to the post. There is WAY more on each item available. Maybe if you have a site/store, you'd like to comment?)

Image Sources:
Abe
Bike
Alice

Handkerchiefs! YES.

Handkerchiefs in one form or another have been around for centuries. From elaborately and expensively embroidered ones of the Renaissance era, to simple white squares of more modern times, they were ubiquitous to stuffy noses before the advent of the disposable tissue. Paper tissues offer convenience to the user, as they can simply be thrown away, but really, they have no class. We're all about class here at Kissing Commas, and I wish to make you all classier individuals by focusing this week's post on the tried, true, and tasteful handkerchief.

For me, handkerchiefs have two very excellent benefits. One, they are deliciously Steampunk. Steampunk is a fashion movement, artistic and social sensibility, and lifestyle that glorifies the styles and technologies of the Victorian era with a modern, high-tech approach. My vocabulary is too woefully equipped to give the movement justice, and so I offer a few links to peruse: Wikipedia and The Ether Emporium. My point here is that handkerchiefs were carried by everyone in the Victorian era, regardless of class, and are infinitely customizable. They are an easy accessory, both decorative and utilitarian. They fit any Steampunk attire and persona perfectly. I started carrying hankies for this reason, and if you have a Steampunk inclination, I suggest you try it!

The second benefit ties more into modern sensibilities: handkerchiefs are both economical and green. Handkerchiefs are laundered, not thrown out – they are larger than tissues and thus can survive many more nose-blowings. They are cheap – they can be bought in packets of several for a reasonable price or made at home easily with scrap fabric. Some of you may protests that handkerchiefs are “icky” because they are used more than once. Dude, it's your own snot. It won't kill you. Due to the size of handkerchiefs, you aren't even forced to use the same portion more than once. If you make more than one hanky, you can have one per day and further cut down on the perceived ickyness. We also tend to forget how disgusting a wastepaper basket is when it's filled to the brim with discarded tissues. I sure hope your mama's not emptying it. Tissues cannot be recycled (believe me, I've fought with Municiple Services over this one), and with the paper snot rags and packaging they come in combined, they take up a lot of landfill space. Help Mama Earth and use a hanky for christ's sake.

There's a final reason that handkerchiefs are, like, totally fabulous, and that of course is the aforementioned classiness of them. Gentlemen, how amazing will you be in the eyes of the ladies and gents you are wooing if you bust out a hanky and offer it to him or her when they have a stuffy nose. You will be da man. Duh, man. In fact, ladies, why aren't you offering hankies chivalrously? This is the twenty-first century; woo some mofos, dammit! Handkerchiefs can be given away as tokens of affection, waved to departing sweeties who are off to fight for your country (or going to the grocery store, whatever), and tucked into pockets of suit jackets or other clothing pieces for a touch of awesome. You can sweep the dirt/water off a bench at the park for you honey, too! They're pretty badass. I guarantee you: for whatever reason you are carrying one, the hanky will up your awesome quotient by like a million. Like a million.

As I mentioned, handkerchiefs can be purchased for trifle. I've looked around and found: Wholesale Linens. They can also be found at antique shops and flea markets, but if it's a priceless antique or older than your grandma, don't blow your nose in it, please. There are a lot from the 30s onward floating around that are perfect for your boogers. You can also make you own. The easiest way is to cut a 12.5” x 12.5” piece of a light fabric (cotton, cotton blend, or linen) and fold the edges down one quarter inch on all sides. Iron the folds down, and hem with a sewing machine or by hand just above the raw edge. I've found that old t-shirts, like Hanes cotton shirts can be used to make a very serviceable hanky. Soft on the nosie! If you have a hankering (haha) for something more fancy, The Purl Bee has two great tutorials: Rolled Hem Handkerchiefs and Herringbone Handkerchiefs . Here's another tutorial, this one from Grosgrain Fabulous: Monogrammed Handkerchief. It also includes instructions for a hanky holder – nice! You can go wild if you're the flashy type by embroidering with fun colors, sewing on little swatches or ribbons, or bedazzling them. I totally bedazzle some of my hankies. Read up on all the great folding methods, slip to into your pocket or handbag, and get ready to be awesome.

You can thank me later.